Podcast: Top water photographer joins freshwater Talk podcast

If a photograph is worth 1,000 words, Pete McBride is one heck of a storyteller.

The native Coloradan has spent more than two decades capturing water across the globe. His photos, appearing in National Geographic, Outside Magazine and Smithsonian, capture the intrinsic ties between water and society. They showcase perspective. They bear witness to a need for urgent action.

“We can actually do okay if we run out of oil,” said McBride. “If we run out of water, we’re screwed.”

Combining his passion for aviation and his belief in conservation, he spent over four years documenting his backyard river — the Colorado. This journey culminated in a book: “The Colorado River: Flowing Through Conflict,” and a series of short films.

American Photo Magazine named Pete as one of the top five water photographers in the nation and in 2014, after completing a story following the length of India’s Ganges River, The National Geographic Society named McBride a “Freshwater Hero”.

We were fortunate to have Pete take time out of his traveling to join us on freshwater Talk.

He walks us through what it’s like to miss a great shot, traveling on assignment, and why water is his subject of choice.

“I never intended to be very focused on freshwater,” said McBride. “In some ways, water or rivers picked me.”

After you listen, I’d love to hear your thoughts about the conversation. Tweet me at @Joe_S_Whitworth.

Next month, I’m on with Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, about growing a business with environmental ethics, climbing mountains, and leaving a legacy for future generations.